Is the Audi Q5 reliable?
55% of the 29 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 64/100 — it scores a little better than average.
29
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10055%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 29 used Audi Q5s we inspected, this model scores a little better than average — average condition 64/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
72%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
38%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
38%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
34%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
24%
Share of inspected Audi Q5s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 31%
Good 24%
Mediocre 31%
Poor 14%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
69%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
3%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
24%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
More on Audi
Straight from recent Audi Q5 reports
2019 Audi Q5 · 75k mi — flagged: battery condition, fault codes recently cleared, oil leaks. Inspected Aug 25.
2021 Audi Q5 · 32k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition (12v), tires condition & wear. Inspected Jul 11.
The bottom line
Oil leaks show up on 72 percent of these Q5s, so get under it and inspect the engine for leaks before you even discuss money. Fuel-trim problems and live error codes ride along often enough that a scan is not optional, and some sellers have already wiped codes. After that, check for torn suspension bushings and worn tires — those set the next bill. Repainted panels are common, structural repair is not, so a respray is a discount argument, not an automatic walk-away. If the engine is wet and the scanner is noisy, leave; otherwise use those leaks to cut the price.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Audi Q5?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (72%), fuel trim out of range (38%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (38%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 24% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
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Based on 29 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
